Inking mechanism for printing presses



Apr. 17, 1923.

' C. A. KELLOGG INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed March 26, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR Jafifljikiibyg.

Apr. 17, 1923.

2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1919 Patented Apr; 117, T923),

GAR-L A. KELLOGG, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING IPRESSES.

Application filed March 26, 1919. Serial No. 285,340.

1 '0 all whom, it may comm-a Be it known that I, CARL A. KnLLoce, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Inking Mechanism for Printing Presses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to printing machines and is particularly directed to improvements in inking mechanisms.

The object of the invention is to provide an inking mechanism wherein maximum ethciency may be had in the distribution of ink on the ink drum so that the form rollers may be'more efiiciently supplied with ink therefrom than heretofore.

The present invention is an improvement on the inking mechanism shown in my co pending application filed March 26th, 1919, Ser. No. 285,388 on inking mechanism for printing presses, and one of the objects of the present invention over those of the copending case is the simplification of the parts in the mounting and operation of the inking mechanism.

Features of the invention other than those specified will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken-in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have illustrated one practical form of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the inking mechanism of my improved press, and certain associated parts; t

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the parts less diagrammatic;

Figure 3 int-an enlarged detail view of my construction Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure l, but illustrating a modified forn Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating modified mechanism for supplying ink to the" ink drum.

Figure 6' is a fragmental plan view of means for longitudinally reciprocating the ink drum; and,

Figure 7 is an elevation of the drum reciprocating means.

Referring to the drawings A designates the frame of a printing machine, in the opposite sides of which frame a hollow shaft B is journalled for rotation, Mounted on that the opposite ends of the shaft B and exteriorly of the sides of the frame, are affixed gears (J and C, the shaft being driven through gear C from a driving gear D which imparts rotation to the shaft B and to.

thereto is an ink drum H. The shaft B extends directly through the drum and is rotatably associated therewith, so that the shaft may turn and drive the sprockets M without necessarily imparting rotary movevinent to the drum.

In accordance with the present invention, the drum is so constituted as to be non-rotatable while the shaft B rotates, and in order to accomplish this without the employment of extraneous means such as disclosed in my co-pending application aforesairhlwcigh the drum interiorly as at b, and such weighted portion is acted upon by gravity to maintain the drum against rotation. The drum is, however, mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on the shaft B, and is moved in end-wise by means of connections next to be described.

Drum H is provided at oneend with a hub hhaving formed on its interior an annular channel adapted to rotatably receive the ring it, diametrically through which is passed a pin slots 9 being provided in the shaft B, through which the pin 9 extends. A stub shaft G extends into the hollow shaft B and is secured to pin 9 which is fitted tightly to a hole in the shaft Gr. Through these connections, it will appear as the shaft B rotates, shaft G turns therewith, and the pin 9 serves to rotate the ring k in the channel of the drum hub. However, through the slotted connection of the pin 9 with the shaft B, longitudinal movement, may be imparted to the shaft G, and, as said shaft is reciprocated, serves to impart simultaneous reciprocation to the drum H. Various means may be provided for reciprocating the shaft G, such for ex- E. The fountain roll is parample as the vibrator: arm"M,which may be conveniently pivoted at Z to the frame of the machine. One end of the arm M is forked and the fork is provided with trunnions engaging a channel in a hubg fixed on the shaft G. The other end of the vibrator arm carries a follower Z which works in a cam track Z, formed in a hub 14, fixed to the shaft 6 of the fountain roll. When the shaft (3 rotates the arm M is vibrated and the ink drum longitudinally reciprocated.

Associated with the drum H are a plurality of distributor rolls 1, supported at their opposite ends on brackets i, mounted on :the sprocket Wheels M for rotation therewith. As the sprockets rotate the distributor rollsI traverse the circumference of the drum while the drumremains circumferentially stationary, but is longitudinally reciprocated in the manner described. It is through thisconjoint rotation of the distributor rolls and longitudinal reciprocation of the ink drum that high efficiency results in the distribution of: ink fed to the said drumin any suitable way.

Various means may be employed to feed the ink to the drum, and this means may consist either in the application of ink directly. to the drum,,the application of ink directly from an ink fountain to the distributor rolls, and thence to the drum, or through the medium of apick-up roll. If a pick-up roll is employed, the construction may be as shown in stance, the pick-up roll. J may be mountedon a shaft 6 so positioned that the pick-up roll i and fountain roller E will almost contact,

and rotation may be imparted to said ductor roll through .sprocket and chain connections 0' driven by a gear 0, adapted to mesh with the gear C; i

The positionof the fountain roller E and the pick-uproll J is such that, as the distributor rolls I traverse the drum H, they will be brought into engagement withthe pick-up roll insuccession, and, receiving ink therefrom, w-illdistributeit on the drum.

, If it isdesired to dispense with the pick- UPI-O1 intermediate roller, the fountain and fountain roller maybe positioned as shown in Figure 5, so thatthe distributing. rollers f willencgage directly with the fountain roll 13, instead of through'an intermediate or pick-up roll. When inkis applied to the distributor rolls either through a pick-up. or

intermediate roll or directly: from-the fountain, the form rollers L arepreferably made ofless diameter than the distributor rolls, so that: 1n the: passage; of the form rollers.

aroundthe drurnin the usual manneigthey will not, take ink from the pick-up or intermediate roller. If; desired, however, the formrollersmay be thesame size as the distrihi tillsmo l s mid da's'hliiies I? and also take'inkthe same Figure l, in which in asrshown inFigure 1. in dot as the distributing rollers from the pick-up roller or intermediate roller.

The manner of mounting the form rollers is the same as in the said co-pending application, said rollers being mounted on endless chains adapted to pass over the sprockets M,supported.by and driven by the shaft B which also carry the distributor roll brackets. The sprockets H are of such diameter as to lead the form rollers over tl e surface of the drum H to receive ink therefrom. y

The pick-up roller of Figures 1 and 2 is shown as positively driven, but, if desired, this roller may be merely in the form ofan intermediate roller J, shown in Figure i, wherein said roll is rotated. from the fountain roll E by virtue of its engagement there with. I

In accordance with either of the foregoing methods of applying ink to the drum H, the ink, after application to the drum is thoroughly distributed through the dual movement between the distributor rolls and the drum, in a thin pellicle or sheet of uniform thickness, over the entire face ofthe drum, with the result that it is uniformly applied to the form rollers.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new,'and' desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying an ink supply, a curved ink surface, a distributor roller bodily rotatable about the center of curvature of the ink surface and adapted to take ink from the ink supply and feed it directly to the surface, and to distribute the ink on said surface, an endless chain a form roller mounted on the chain and operated thereby to traverse the ink surface and be charged therefrom.

2. Inking mechani m for printing machines embodyinq a substantially cylindrical ink drum and distributor rollers mounted to traverse thecircumference of thedrum in diametrically opposite relation to one another, and means for reciprocating the ink drum longitudiuallyof its axis. 1

3. Liking mechanism for printing presses embodying an ink supply, a curved ink-surface, and form and distributor rollers cooperating with said surface, said distributor roller being operable at a fixed distance from the center of curvature of the ink surface and directly charged with inkfrom the ink supply. i

i. linking mechanism forprintiug presses embodying an ink supply,'a curved ink surface, and a plurality of form anddistributor rollers coopeinting with said surface, said distributor rollers being operable-at a fixed distance-from the center of curvature of'the ink surface andbeing direc ly charged with ink from the ink supply.

5. Inking mechanism fer: printing pressesthe ink surface,

embodying a form, an ink surface, an ink supply, a roller associated with the ink supply and charged thereby, a distributor roller adapted to periodically engage with and take ink from the other roller and apply said ink directly to the ink surface, and a form roller, independent of the distributor roller and adapted to take ink from the ink surface and deposit it on the form;

6. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a form, a substantially cylindrical ink surface, a roller associated with the ink supply and charged thereby, and a distributor roller adapted to periodically engage with and take ink from the other roller and traverse the cylindricalink surface'to apply ink directly to the ink surface and distribute it thereon, in combination with a form roller, independent of the distributor roller, and adapted to take ink from the ink surface and apply it to theform. i

In a printing press, an ink surface, a form, a form roller to traverse the form and a distributor roller also adapted to traverse the ink surface, and a driven roller adapted to take ink directly from the ink supply and apply thesame directly to the distributor roller while said distributor roller is in contact with the ink surface.

8. In a printingpress, an ink surface, a flat form, a form roller adapted to traverse the flat form and the ink surface, an ink fountain, an ink'supply roller immersed therein, a distributor roller adapted to traverse the ink surface, and a driven roller adapted to take ink directly from the ink supply roller and apply the same directly to the distributor roller.,

9. Inking mechanism for printing embodying, an ink supply, an ink surface and a distributor roller adapted to rotate about said surface while maintained in conpresses tinuous engagement therewith, and when so rotated to take ink from said supply and uniformly distribute it throughout said surface.

10. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a form roller, a shaft foroperating said form roller, a substantially cylindrical ink surface positioned in the path of the form roller and mounted on said shaft, and gravity perated means for automatically maintaining the cylindrical ink surface against rotation while the shaft rotates.

11. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a form roller, a shaft for operating said form roller, and an ink drum positioned in the path of the form roller and mounted on said shaft, and means for maintaining. the drum against rotation while the shaft rotates, and means for bodily reciprocating the ink drum.

12. Inking mechagism for prigting presses an ink drum supported embodying an ink supply, a curved ink surface, and a plurality f distributors operable at a fixed distance from the center of ourvature of the ink surface and adapted at all times to engage with said surface to carry inkfrom the inksupply to said surface.

13. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying an ink supply, an ink drum, a plurality of distributors co-operating with the ink supply and with said drum to supply ink to the latter, and means for bodily reciprocating said drum longitudinally of its axis.

14. A printing press embodying a form bed,a form roller, a shaft, sprockets carried by said shaft for operating the form roller,

by said shaft indebed, and means for the ink drum while pendently of the form precluding rotation of the shaft revolves.

15. A printing press embodying a form roller, a shaft, sprockets carried by said shaft for operating the form roller, an ink drum supported by said shaft, a form bed supported independently of the shaft and ink drum, and means for precluding rotation of the ink drum. while the shaft revolves, in combination with means for reciprocating the ink drum longitudinally of the shaft.

16. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a pair of rotatable shafts, sprockets on said shafts, chains co-operating with said sprockets, and form rollers carried by said chains, in combination with an inkv drum'mounted on one of said shafts for supplying ink to the, form rollers, and means for precluding the rotation of the ink drum.

17. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a pair of rotatable shafts, sprockets on said shafts, chains co-operating with said sprockets, and form rollers car-' ried by said chains, in combination with an ink drum supported by one of said shafts, and means for precluding rotation of the ink drum when the shafts rotate.

18. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a pair of rotatable shafts, sprockets on said shafts, chains co-operating with said sprockets, and form rollers car- 'ried by said chains, in combination with an ink drum mounted on one of said shafts, and adapted to supply ink to the form rollers, means for precluding rotation of said drum, and means for reciprocating said drum longitudinally of the shaft.

19. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying an ink drum, a rotatable shaft for supporting the weight of said drum, means for holding the drum against rotation, and a second shaft co-axial with the first and rotatably connected with said drum for reciprocating the drum longitudinally of said shafts.

20. Inking mechanism for printing presses embodying a pair of coaxialshafts, one of which is longitudinally'movable with respect to the other, andbboth of which are rotatable, an ink drum supported on said shafts, means associated with thedrum for maintaining it against rotation, sprockets mounted onone of said shafts, and a form roller actuated by said sprockets to traverse the ink drum, andimeans co-operating with the longitudinally vmovable shaft "for recip .rollers, each of which is rotatable on its own axis, and simultaneously movable about the circumference of the drum, and means for reciprocating the drum longitudinally of its axis while the distributor rollers traverse the circumference thereof while the form bed remains relatively stationary.

22. Inkingmechanism for printing presses embodyinga rotatable shalt, an ink drum" having a curved surface mounted on said shaft, means for precluding rotation ofthe drum, brackets fixedto said shaft, and distributor rollers carried by said brackets and engaging with the periphery of the drum, said drum being held against rotation while the distributor rollers traverse the periphery thereof. M

23; Inking mechanism for printing press- .eseiubodying a rotatable shaft, an ink drum having a curved surface mounted on said shaft, means for precluding rotation of the drum, brackets. fixed to said shaft, and distributor rollers carried bysaidbrackets and engaging with the periphery of the drum, said drum being held against rotation while the distributor rollers traverse the periphery thereof, and means for reciprocating the drum longitudinally of its axis. 9A. A printing press embodying a form bed, an ink drum separate and independent of the form bed and independently mounted, and a plurality of pairsof distributor rollers, each of which rollers is rotatable on its own axis, and all of which rollers are adapted to 'yration about the axis of the drum.

25. inking mechanism for printing presses embodying an ink drum, and a plurality of pairs of distributor rollers, each of which rollers is rotatable on its own axis, and all of which rollers are adapted to gyration about the axis of the drum, in combination with a form roller adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with, the drum.

26. Inking mechanismfor printing presses embodying a plurality of concentricrotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, and an ink surface supported by one of said shafts.

27. In a printing press, a form, bed, in combination with inking mechanism em bodying an ink supply, an inking surface separate from and independent of the form bed, a distributor roller co-operating with said surface, a form roller, and means operable to cause both of said rollers to traverse:

the inking surface.

name to this specification.

CARL A. KELLOGG. 

